Heatwaves leave Big Issue vendors struggling and selling fewer magazines

Thursday 13 August – Repeated UK heatwaves are hitting Big Issue sales and leaving their vendors struggling, the social enterprise has revealed.

Big Issue reported that vendor sales have dropped an average of 20% nationwide in weeks with widespread heatwave conditions.

In the week of 22 June, when the UK’s June temperature record was broken, Big Issue sales fell by an average of 22% compared to the same week the previous year. The two worst affected regions, the West Midlands and Wales, saw 34% and 33% fewer sales respectively.

Vendors are facing the compounding impact of less footfall on the streets and being unable to sell in the peak heat due to health and safety concerns.

Jason Sallis, who sells the Big Issue outside Moorgate Station in the City of London, said that his health conditions were limiting how long he could spend out in the sun.

“I’ve got ischemic heart disease, so sitting in the sun will affect my breathing and stuff like that. So I can only stand it for about 5-10 minutes and then I’m gone.

“When it’s like 35 or whatever, you have to be careful. I’ve already had one heart attack and I don’t really fancy another one.”

Catherine Parsons, Managing Director of Big Issue’s support service for vendors, warned that vendors were losing out on vital income due to the heatwaves.

Parsons said: “For most of us, extreme heat is an inconvenience. For Big Issue vendors, it means earning significantly less, and making difficult decisions about rent, food and other essentials.

“Our teams are working hard to support vendors to sell during the heat, performing welfare checks and handing out sunscreen, caps and water bottles. But in the most extreme temperatures, it’s simply unsafe for vendors to be out and selling. And when the heat forces them to cut their working day short, the financial impact is immediate.”

Big Issue has been distributing Summer Support Kits to vendors, containing essentials including sunscreen, water bottles and protective caps.

The social enterprise is aiming to distribute a further 200 kits to vendors in the coming days, while its support teams are carrying out welfare checks and providing practical support.

Mark Stevenson, a Big Issue vendor in Canterbury, said: “Selling in the hot weather can be the worst time. I’ve actually been here and I’ve had passers-by say to each other: ‘I wouldn’t mind being homeless in this heat.’

“I was homeless for a couple of months over the summer. My main issue and hassle was making sure I had water throughout the night.”

The public can support Big Issue’s efforts to help its vendor community in heatwaves by buying a Summer Support Kit for a vendor.